On the theory of the recombination of ions in gases at high pressures

Abstract

Previous theories of the recombination of ions in gases are shown to be inapplicable to high pressures. An approximate quantitative theory which takes into account all the relevant phenomena is developed. The effect of both thermal agitation and mutual attraction in determining encounters of ions of opposite sign is considered, and the frequency of encounters which lead to recombination calculated. The criterion for an encounter to lead to recombination is that the drift of the ions towards each other due to their mutual attraction must be greater than their tendency to separate due to their Brownian movement. Excellent agreement is obtained with such experimental results as are available. Preferential recombination between an ejected electron and its parent ion is also discussed. I am indebted to various members both of the Wills Physics Laboratory and of the Cavendish Laboratory for discussion of the problems dealt with in this paper.